Apparatus for adding user-supplied text to a digital still image

ABSTRACT

A convenient form of text editing in a camera device utilizing complex character sets is disclosed. The device includes a digital camera device able to sense an image; a manipulation data entry card adapted to be inserted into the digital camera device and to provide manipulation instructions for manipulating the image, including the addition of text to the image; a text entry device for the entry of the text which includes a series of non-roman font characters utilised by the digital camera device in conjunction with the manipulation instructions so as to create new text characters for addition to the image. The font characters are transmitted to the digital camera device when required and rendered by the camera in accordance with the manipulation instructions. The non-roman characters can include at least one of Hebrew, Cyrillic, Arabic, Kanji or Chinese characters.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a Continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No.09/112,796, filed on Jul. 10, 1998, now issued U.S. Pat. No. 6,690,416.

The following Australian provisional patent applications are herebyincorporated by cross-reference. For the purposes of location andidentification, US patents/patent applications identified by their USpatent/patent application serial numbers are listed alongside theAustralian applications from which the US patents/patent applicationsclaim the right of priority.

Cross-Referenced Australian U.S. Patent/Patent Application ProvisionalPatent (Claiming Right of Priority from Australian Application No.Provisional Application) PO7991 6,750,901 PO8505 6,476,863 PO79886,788,336 PO9395 6,322,181 PO8017 6,597,817 PO8014 6,227,648 PO80256,727,948 PO8032 6,690,419 PO7999 6,727,951 PO8030 6,196,541 PO79976,195,150 PO7979 6,362,868 PO7978 6,831,681 PO7982 6,431,669 PO79896,362,869 PO8019 6,472,052 PO7980 6,356,715 PO8018 6,894,694 PO79386,636,216 PO8016 6,366,693 PO8024 6,329,990 PO7939 6,459,495 PO85016,137,500 PO8500 6,690,416 PO7987 7,050,143 PO8022 6,398,328 PO84977,110,024 PO8020 6,431,704 PO8504 6,879,341 PO8000 6,415,054 PO79346,665,454 PO7990 6,542,645 PO8499 6,486,886 PO8502 6,381,361 PO79816,317,192 PO7986 6,850,274 PO7983 09/113,054 PO8026 6,646,757 PO80286,624,848 PO9394 6,357,135 PO9397 6,271,931 PO9398 6,353,772 PO93996,106,147 PO9400 6,665,008 PO9401 6,304,291 PO9403 6,305,770 PO94056,289,262 PP0959 6,315,200 PP1397 6,217,165 PP2370 6,786,420 PO80036,350,023 PO8005 6,318,849 PO8066 6,227,652 PO8072 6,213,588 PO80406,213,589 PO8071 6,231,163 PO8047 6,247,795 PO8035 6,394,581 PO80446,244,691 PO8063 6,257,704 PO8057 6,416,168 PO8056 6,220,694 PO80696,257,705 PO8049 6,247,794 PO8036 6,234,610 PO8048 6,247,793 PO80706,264,306 PO8067 6,241,342 PO8001 6,247,792 PO8038 6,264,307 PO80336,254,220 PO8002 6,234,611 PO8068 6,302,528 PO8062 6,283,582 PO80346,239,821 PO8039 6,338,547 PO8041 6,247,796 PO8004 6,557,977 PO80376,390,603 PO8043 6,362,843 PO8042 6,293,653 PO8064 6,312,107 PO93896,227,653 PO9391 6,234,609 PP0888 6,238,040 PP0891 6,188,415 PP08906,227,654 PP0873 6,209,989 PP0993 6,247,791 PP0890 6,336,710 PP13986,217,153 PP2592 6,416,167 PP2593 6,243,113 PP3991 6,283,581 PP39876,247,790 PP3985 6,260,953 PP3983 6,267,469 PO7935 6,224,780 PO79366,235,212 PO7937 6,280,643 PO8061 6,284,147 PO8054 6,214,244 PO80656,071,750 PO8055 6,267,905 PO8053 6,251,298 PO8078 6,258,285 PO79336,225,138 PO7950 6,241,904 PO7949 6,299,786 PO8060 6,866,789 PO80596,231,773 PO8073 6,190,931 PO8076 6,248,249 PO8075 6,290,862 PO80796,241,906 PO8050 6,565,762 PO8052 6,241,905 PO7948 6,451,216 PO79516,231,772 PO8074 6,274,056 PO7941 6,290,861 PO8077 6,248,248 PO80586,306,671 PO8051 6,331,258 PO8045 6,110,754 PO7952 6,294,101 PO80466,416,679 PO9390 6,264,849 PO9392 6,254,793 PP0889 6,235,211 PP08876,491,833 PP0882 6,264,850 PP0874 6,258,284 PP1396 6,312,615 PP39896,228,668 PP2591 6,180,427 PP3990 6,171,875 PP3986 6,267,904 PP39846,245,247 PP3982 6,315,914 PP0895 6,231,148 PP0869 6,293,658 PP08876,614,560 PP0885 6,238,033 PP0884 6,312,070 PP0886 6,238,111 PP08776,378,970 PP0878 6,196,739 PP0883 6,270,182 PP0880 6,152,619 PO80066,087,638 PO8007 6,340,222 PO8010 6,041,600 PO8011 6,299,300 PO79476,067,797 PO7944 6,286,935 PO7946 6,044,646 PP0894 6,382,769

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to digital image processing and inparticular discloses Image Production Utilising Text Editing IncludingComplex Character Sets.

Further the present invention relates to the creation of digital imagesand in particular, discloses a method of editing text where the text maycomprise complex character sets such as non-roman character sets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recently, a new form of camera system has been proposed by the presentapplicant. The camera system, hereinafter known as “Artcam” includes ameans for the printing out of a sensed image on demand. The systemproposed further provides for the manipulation of the sensed image by anonboard processor. The manipulation user interface can comprise theinsertion of various “Artcards” into the camera device so as to providefor a form of manipulation of the sensed image.

A number of the image manipulations performed include for the insertionor provision of text with the image. Suitable fonts are then storedwithin the artcam device or on the artcard and the fonts are thenutilised for insertion of text characters into an image, the insertionbeing through the utilisation of a separate keyboard attached to theArtcam device.

A great deal of the world's population does not utilised roman characterfonts in written text. Other languages such as Hebrew, Cyrillic, Arabic,Chinese, Kanji etc utilise their own character fonts. Unfortunately, thestorage of each of these fonts on an Artcard is not possible especiallywhere each character of a font is to be stored in the form of a compleximage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide for a convenientform of text editing in a camera device for complex character sets.

In accordance with the first aspect of the present invention there isprovided an apparatus for text editing an image comprising a digitalcamera device able to sense an image; a manipulation data entry cardadapted to be inserted into said digital camera device and to providemanipulation instructions to said digital camera device for manipulatingsaid image, said manipulation instructions including the addition oftext to said image; a text entry device connected to said digital cameradevice for the entry of said text for addition to said image whereinsaid text entry device includes a series of non-roman font charactersutilised by said digital camera device in conjunction with saidmanipulation instructions so as to create new text characters foraddition to said image.

Preferably, the font characters are transmitted to said digital cameradevice when required and rendered by said apparatus in accordance withsaid manipulation instructions so as to create said new text characters.The manipulation data entry card can include a rendered roman fontcharacter set and the non-roman characters include at least one ofHebrew, Cyrillic, Arabic, Kanji or Chinese characters.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of thepresent invention, preferred forms of the invention will now bedescribed, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a first arrangement of the preferred embodiment; and

FIG. 2 illustrates a flow chart of the operation of the preferredembodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED AND OTHER EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiment is preferably implemented through suitableprogramming of a hand held camera device such as that described inAustralian Provisional Patent Application No. PO7991 filed Jul. 15, 1997entitled “Image Processing Method and Apparatus (ART01)”, in addition toAustralian Provisional Patent Application entitled “Image ProcessingMethod and Apparatus (ART01a)” filed concurrently herewith by thepresent applicant, the content of which is hereby specificallyincorporated by cross reference.

The aforementioned patent specifications disclose a camera system,hereinafter known as an “Artcam” type camera, wherein sensed images canbe directly printed out by an internal Artcam portable camera unit.Further, the aforementioned specification discloses means and methodsfor performing various manipulations on images captured by the camerasensing device leading to the production of various effects in anyoutput image. The manipulations are disclosed to be highly flexible innature and can be implemented through the insertion into the Artcam ofcards having encoded thereon various instructions for the manipulationof images, the cards hereinafter being known as “Artcards”. The Artcamfurther has significant onboard processing power by an Artcam CentralProcessor unit (ACP) which is interconnected to a memory device for thestorage of important data and images.

Turning now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated 1, the arrangement of thepreferred embodiment which includes an Artcam device 2, beinginterconnected to a text input device 3 which can comprise a touch padLCD with appropriate character recognition. Alternatively, the textinput device can comprise a keyboard entry device eg. 4. A suitable formof text input device 3 can comprise an Apple Newton (Trade Mark) devicesuitably adapted and programmed so as to interconnect with the Artcamdevice 2. Alternatively, other forms of text input device 3 can beutilised. Further, the Artcard device 5 is provided for insertion in theArtcam 2 so as to manipulate the sensed image in accordance with theschema as illustrated on the surface of the Artcard, the manipulationsbeing more fully discussed in the aforementioned patent specifications.

Turning now to FIG. 2 there is illustrated the preferred form ofoperation of the preferred embodiment. In this form of operation, theArtcard 5 is encoded with a Vark script which includes a font as definedfor a roman character set and a description of how to create extracharacters in this font. The description can comprise, for example, howto manipulate an outlined path so as to create new characters within thefont.

The input device 3, 4 includes input device fonts stored therein. Theinput device fonts can be utilised for the display of information by thetext input devices 3, 4, particularly in non roman character sets.Hence, the input devices 3, 4 can be utilised for the entry of textfields as required by the Artcard 5. Upon entry, the outline of the fontis downloaded to Artcam unit 2 which is responsible for processing theoutline in accordance with the instructions encoded on Artcard 5 for thecreation of extra characters. The characters are therefore created byArtcam device 2 and rendered as part of the output image which issubsequently printed to form output image 6.

Utilising this method of operation, the flexibility of the Artcam device2 is substantially extended without requiring the Artcam device 2 orArtcard device 5 to store each possible arrangement of fonts in eachpossible language. In this way, it is only necessary for the text inputdevices eg. 3, 4 to be country specific which substantially reduces thecomplexity of models which must be made available for operation of theArtcam device 2 in a non-roman character language format.

It would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that numerousvariations and/or modifications may be made to the present invention asshown in the specific embodiment without departing from the spirit orscope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiment is,therefore, to be considered in all respects to be illustrative and notrestrictive.

Ink Jet Technologies

The embodiments of the invention use an ink jet printer type device. Ofcourse many different devices could be used. However presently popularink jet printing technologies are unlikely to be suitable.

The most significant problem with thermal ink jet is power consumption.This is approximately 100 times that required for high speed, and stemsfrom the energy-inefficient means of drop ejection. This involves therapid boiling of water to produce a vapor bubble which expels the ink.Water has a very high heat capacity, and must be superheated in thermalink jet applications. This leads to an efficiency of around 0.02%, fromelectricity input to drop momentum (and increased surface area) out.

The most significant problem with piezoelectric ink jet is size andcost. Piezoelectric crystals have a very small deflection at reasonabledrive voltages, and therefore require a large area for each nozzle.Also, each piezoelectric actuator must be connected to its drive circuiton a separate substrate. This is not a significant problem at thecurrent limit of around 300 nozzles per print head, but is a majorimpediment to the fabrication of pagewidth print heads with 19,200nozzles.

Ideally, the ink jet technologies used meet the stringent requirementsof in-camera digital color printing and other high quality, high speed,low cost printing applications. To meet the requirements of digitalphotography, new ink jet technologies have been created. The targetfeatures include:

low power (less than 10 Watts)

high resolution capability (1,600 dpi or more)

photographic quality output

low manufacturing cost

small size (pagewidth times minimum cross section)

high speed (<2 seconds per page).

All of these features can be met or exceeded by the ink jet systemsdescribed below with differing levels of difficulty. Forty-fivedifferent ink jet technologies have been developed by the Assignee togive a wide range of choices for high volume manufacture. Thesetechnologies form part of separate applications assigned to the presentAssignee as set out in the table under the heading Cross References toRelated Applications.

The ink jet designs shown here are suitable for a wide range of digitalprinting systems, from battery powered one-time use digital cameras,through to desktop and network printers, and through to commercialprinting systems

For ease of manufacture using standard process equipment, the print headis designed to be a monolithic 0.5 micron CMOS chip with MEMS postprocessing. For color photographic applications, the print head is 100mm long, with a width which depends upon the ink jet type. The smallestprint head designed is IJ38, which is 0.35 mm wide, giving a chip areaof 35 square mm. The print heads each contain 19,200 nozzles plus dataand control circuitry.

Ink is supplied to the back of the print head by injection moldedplastic ink channels. The molding requires 50 micron features, which canbe created using a lithographically micromachined insert in a standardinjection molding tool. Ink flows through holes etched through the waferto the nozzle chambers fabricated on the front surface of the wafer. Theprint head is connected to the camera circuitry by tape automatedbonding.

Tables of Drop-On-Demand Ink Jets

Eleven important characteristics of the fundamental operation ofindividual ink jet nozzles have been identified. These characteristicsare largely orthogonal, and so can be elucidated as an elevendimensional matrix. Most of the eleven axes of this matrix includeentries developed by the present assignee.

The following tables form the axes of an eleven dimensional table of inkjet types.

Actuator mechanism (18 types)

Basic operation mode (7 types)

Auxiliary mechanism (8 types)

Actuator amplification or modification method (17 types)

Actuator motion (19 types)

Nozzle refill method (4 types)

Method of restricting back-flow through inlet (10 types)

Nozzle clearing method (9 types)

Nozzle plate construction (9 types)

Drop ejection direction (5 types)

Ink type (7 types)

The complete eleven dimensional table represented by these axes contains36.9 billion possible configurations of ink jet nozzle. While not all ofthe possible combinations result in a viable ink jet technology, manymillion configurations are viable. It is clearly impractical toelucidate all of the possible configurations. Instead, certain ink jettypes have been investigated in detail. These are designated IJ01 toIJ45 which matches the docket numbers in the tables under the headingCross References to Related Applications.

Other ink jet configurations can readily be derived from theseforty-five examples by substituting alternative configurations along oneor more of the 11 axes. Most of the IJ01 to IJ45 examples can be madeinto ink jet print heads with characteristics superior to any currentlyavailable ink jet technology.

Where there are prior art examples known to the inventor, one or more ofthese examples are listed in the examples column of the tables below.The IJ01 to IJ45 series are also listed in the examples column. In somecases, a print technology may be listed more than once in a table, whereit shares characteristics with more than one entry.

Suitable applications for the ink jet technologies include: Homeprinters, Office network printers, Short run digital printers,Commercial print systems, Fabric printers, Pocket printers, Internet WWWprinters, Video printers, Medical imaging, Wide format printers,Notebook PC printers, Fax machines, Industrial printing systems,Photocopiers, Photographic minilabs etc.

The information associated with the aforementioned 11 dimensional matrixare set out in the following tables.

Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples ACTUATOR MECHANISM(APPLIED ONLY TO SELECTED INK DROPS) Thermal An electrothermal Largeforce High power Canon Bubblejet bubble heater heats the ink togenerated Ink carrier limited to 1979 Endo et al GB above boiling point,Simple construction water patent 2,007,162 transferring significant Nomoving parts Low efficiency Xerox heater-in-pit heat to the aqueous Fastoperation High temperatures 1990 Hawkins et al ink. A bubble Small chiparea required U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,181 nucleates and quickly required foractuator High mechanical Hewlett-Packard TIJ forms, expelling the stress1982 Vaught et al ink. Unusual materials U.S. Pat. No. 4,490,728 Theefficiency of the required process is low, with Large drive typicallyless than transistors 0.05% of the electrical Cavitation causes energybeing actuator failure transformed into Kogation reduces kinetic energyof the bubble formation drop. Large print heads are difficult tofabricate Piezoelectric A piezoelectric crystal Low power Very largearea Kyser et al U.S. such as lead consumption required for actuatorPat. No. 3,946,398 lanthanum zirconate Many ink types can Difficult tointegrate Zoltan U.S. (PZT) is electrically be used with electronicsPat. No. 3,683,212 activated, and either Fast operation High voltagedrive 1973 Stemme U.S. expands, shears, or High efficiency transistorsrequired Pat. No. 3,747,120 bends to apply Full pagewidth print EpsonStylus pressure to the ink, heads impractical Tektronix ejecting drops.due to actuator size IJ04 Requires electrical poling in high fieldstrengths during manufacture Electrostrictive An electric field is Lowpower Low maximum Seiko Epson, Usui used to activate consumption strain(approx. et all JP 253401/96 electrostriction in Many ink types can0.01%) IJ04 relaxor materials such be used Large area required as leadlanthanum Low thermal for actuator due to zirconate titanate expansionlow strain (PLZT) or lead Electric field Response speed is magnesiumniobate strength required marginal (~10 μs) (PMN). (approx. 3.5 V/μm)High voltage drive can be generated transistors required withoutdifficulty Full pagewidth print Does not require heads impracticalelectrical poling due to actuator size Ferroelectric An electric fieldis Low power Difficult to integrate IJ04 used to induce a phaseconsumption with electronics transition between the Many ink types canUnusual materials antiferroelectric (AFE) be used such as PLZSnT are andferroelectric (FE) Fast operation required phase. Perovskite (<1 μs)Actuators require a materials such as tin Relatively high large areamodified lead longitudinal strain lanthanum zirconate High efficiencytitanate (PLZSnT) Electric field exhibit large strains of strength ofaround 3 up to 1% associated V/μm can be readily with the AFE to FEprovided phase transition. Electrostatic Conductive plates are Low powerDifficult to operate IJ02, IJ04 plates separated by a consumptionelectrostatic devices compressible or fluid Many ink types can in anaqueous dielectric (usually air). be used environment Upon applicationof a Fast operation The electrostatic voltage, the plates actuator willattract each other and normally need to be displace ink, causingseparated from the drop ejection. The ink conductive plates may Verylarge area be in a comb or required to achieve honeycomb structure, highforces or stacked to increase High voltage drive the surface area andtransistors may be therefore the force. required Full pagewidth printheads are not competitive due to actuator size Electrostatic A strongelectric field Low current High voltage 1989 Saito et al, pull isapplied to the ink, consumption required U.S. Pat. No. 4,799,068 on inkwhereupon Low temperature May be damaged by 1989 Miura et al,electrostatic attraction sparks due to air U.S. Pat. No. 4,810,954accelerates the ink breakdown Tone-jet towards the print Required fieldmedium. strength increases as the drop size decreases High voltage drivetransistors required Electrostatic field attracts dust Permanent Anelectromagnet Low power Complex fabrication IJ07, IJ10 magnet directlyattracts a consumption Permanent magnetic electromagnetic permanentmagnet, Many ink types can material such as displacing ink and be usedNeodymium Iron causing drop ejection. Fast operation Boron (NdFeB) Rareearth magnets High efficiency required. with a field strength Easyextension from High local currents around 1 Tesla can be single nozzlesto required used. Examples are: pagewidth print Copper metalizationSamarium Cobalt heads should be used for (SaCo) and magnetic longmaterials in the electromigration neodymium iron boron lifetime and lowfamily (NdFeB, resistivity NdDyFeBNb, Pigmented inks are NdDyFeB, etc)usually infeasible Operating temperature limited to the Curietemperature (around 540 K) Soft A solenoid induced a Low power Complexfabrication IJ01, IJ05, IJ08, magnetic magnetic field in a softconsumption Materials not IJ10, IJ12, IJ14, core magnetic core or yokeMany ink types can usually present in a IJ15, IJ17 electromagneticfabricated from a be used CMOS fab such as ferrous material such Fastoperation NiFe, CoNiFe, or as electroplated iron High efficiency CoFeare required alloys such as CoNiFe Easy extension from High localcurrents [1], CoFe, or NiFe single nozzles to required alloys.Typically, the pagewidth print Copper metalization soft magneticmaterial heads should be used for is in two parts, which long arenormally held electromigration apart by a spring. lifetime and low Whenthe solenoid is resistivity actuated, the two parts Electroplating isattract, displacing the required ink. High saturation flux density isrequired (2.0-2.1 T is achievable with CoNiFe [1]) Lorenz The Lorenzforce Low power Force acts as a IJ06, IJ11, IJ13, force acting on acurrent consumption twisting motion IJ16 carrying wire in a Many inktypes can Typically, only a magnetic field is be used quarter of theutilized. Fast operation solenoid length This allows the High efficiencyprovides force in a magnetic field to be Easy extension from usefuldirection supplied externally to single nozzles to High local currentsthe print head, for pagewidth print required example with rare headsCopper metalization earth permanent should be used for magnets. longOnly the current electromigration carrying wire need be lifetime and lowfabricated on the print- resistivity head, simplifying Pigmented inksare materials usually infeasible requirements. Magneto- The actuatoruses the Many ink types can Force acts as a Fischenbeck, U.S. strictiongiant magnetostrictive be used twisting motion Pat. No. 4,032,929 effectof materials Fast operation Unusual materials IJ25 such as Terfenol-D(an Easy extension from such as Terfenol-D alloy of terbium, singlenozzles to are required dysprosium and iron pagewidth print High localcurrents developed at the Naval heads required Ordnance Laboratory, Highforce is Copper metalization hence Ter-Fe-NOL). available should be usedfor For best efficiency, the long actuator should be pre-electromigration stressed to approx. 8 MPa. lifetime and low resistivityPre-stressing may be required Surface Ink under positive Low powerRequires Silverbrook, EP tension pressure is held in a consumptionsupplementary force 0771 658 A2 and reduction nozzle by surface Simpleconstruction to effect drop related patent tension. The surface Nounusual separation applications tension of the ink is materials requiredin Requires special ink reduced below the fabrication surfactants bubblethreshold, High efficiency Speed may be causing the ink to Easyextension from limited by surfactant egress from the single nozzles toproperties nozzle. pagewidth print heads Viscosity The ink viscosity isSimple construction Requires Silverbrook, EP reduction locally reducedto No unusual supplementary force 0771 658 A2 and select which drops arematerials required in to effect drop related patent to be ejected. Afabrication separation applications viscosity reduction can Easyextension from Requires special ink be achieved single nozzles toviscosity properties electrothermally with pagewidth print High speed ismost inks, but special heads difficult to achieve inks can be engineeredRequires oscillating for a 100:1 viscosity ink pressure reduction. Ahigh temperature difference (typically 80 degrees) is required AcousticAn acoustic wave is Can operate without Complex drive 1993 Hadimioglu etgenerated and a nozzle plate circuitry al, EUP 550,192 focussed upon theComplex fabrication 1993 Elrod et al, drop ejection region. Lowefficiency EUP 572,220 Poor control of drop position Poor control ofdrop volume Thermoelastic An actuator which Low power Efficient aqueousIJ03, IJ09, IJ17, bend relies upon differential consumption operationrequires a IJ18, IJ19, IJ20, actuator thermal expansion Many ink typescan thermal insulator on IJ21, IJ22, IJ23, upon Joule heating is be usedthe hot side IJ24, IJ27, IJ28, used. Simple planar Corrosion IJ29, IJ30,IJ31, fabrication prevention can be IJ32, IJ33, IJ34, Small chip areadifficult IJ35, IJ36, IJ37, required for each Pigmented inks may IJ38,IJ39, IJ40, actuator be infeasible, as IJ41 Fast operation pigmentparticles High efficiency may jam the bend CMOS compatible actuatorvoltages and currents Standard MEMS processes can be used Easy extensionfrom single nozzles to pagewidth print heads High CTE A material with avery High force can be Requires special IJ09, IJ17, IJ18, thermoelastichigh coefficient of generated material (e.g. PTFE) IJ20, IJ21, IJ22,actuator thermal expansion Three methods of Requires a PTFE IJ23, IJ24,IJ27, (CTE) such as PTFE deposition are deposition process, IJ28, IJ29,IJ30, polytetrafluoroethylene under development: which is not yet IJ31,IJ42, IJ43, (PTFE) is used. As chemical vapor standard in ULSI IJ44 highCTE materials deposition (CVD), fabs are usually non- spin coating, andPTFE deposition conductive, a heater evaporation cannot be followedfabricated from a PTFE is a candidate with high conductive material isfor low dielectric temperature (above incorporated. A 50 μm constantinsulation 350° C.) processing long PTFE bend in ULSI Pigmented inks mayactuator with Very low power be infeasible, as polysilicon heater andconsumption pigment particles 15 mW power input Many ink types can mayjam the bend can provide 180 μN be used actuator force and 10 μm Simpleplanar deflection. Actuator fabrication motions include: Small chip areaBend required for each Push actuator Buckle Fast operation Rotate Highefficiency CMOS compatible voltages and currents Easy extension fromsingle nozzles to pagewidth print heads Conductive A polymer with a highHigh force can be Requires special IJ24 polymer coefficient of thermalgenerated materials thermolastic expansion (such as Very low powerdevelopment (High actuator PTFE) is doped with consumption CTEconductive conducting substances Many ink types can polymer) to increaseits be used Requires a PTFE conductivity to about 3 Simple planardeposition process, orders of magnitude fabrication which is not yetbelow that of copper. Small chip area standard in ULSI The conductingrequired for each fabs polymer expands actuator PTFE deposition whenresistively Fast operation cannot be followed heated. High efficiencywith high Examples of CMOS compatible temperature (above conductingdopants voltages and 350° C.) processing include: currents Evaporationand Carbon nanotubes Easy extension from CVD deposition Metal fiberssingle nozzles to techniques cannot Conductive polymers pagewidth printbe used such as doped heads Pigmented inks may polythiophene beinfeasible, as Carbon granules pigment particles may jam the bendactuator Shape A shape memory alloy High force is Fatigue limits IJ26memory such as TiNi (also available (stresses maximum number alloy knownas Nitinol - of hundreds of MPa) of cycles Nickel Titanium alloy Largestrain is Low strain (1%) is developed at the Naval available (more thanrequired to extend Ordnance Laboratory) 3%) fatigue resistance isthermally switched High corrosion Cycle rate limited between its weakresistance by heat removal martensitic state and Simple constructionRequires unusual its high stiffness Easy extension from materials (TiNi)austenic state. The single nozzles to The latent heat of shape of theactuator pagewidth print transformation must in its martensitic stateheads be provided is deformed relative to Low voltage High current theaustenic shape. operation operation The shape change Requires pre-causes ejection of a stressing to distort drop. the martensitic stateLinear Linear magnetic Linear Magnetic Requires unusual IJ12 Magneticactuators include the actuators can be semiconductor Actuator LinearInduction constructed with materials such as Actuator (LIA), Linear highthrust, long soft magnetic alloys Permanent Magnet travel, and high(e.g. CoNiFe) Synchronous Actuator efficiency using Some varieties also(LPMSA), Linear planar require permanent Reluctance semiconductormagnetic materials Synchronous Actuator fabrication such as Neodymium(LRSA), Linear techniques iron boron (NdFeB) Switched Reluctance Longactuator travel Requires complex Actuator (LSRA), and is availablemulti-phase drive the Linear Stepper Medium force is circuitry Actuator(LSA). available High current Low voltage operation operation BASICOPERATION MODE Actuator This is the simplest Simple operation Droprepetition rate Thermal ink jet directly mode of operation: the Noexternal fields is usually limited to Piezoelectric ink jet pushes inkactuator directly required around 10 kHz. IJ01, IJ02, IJ03, suppliessufficient Satellite drops can However, this is not IJ04, IJ05, IJ06,kinetic energy to expel be avoided if drop fundamental to the IJ07,IJ09, IJ11, the drop. The drop velocity is less than method, but isIJ12, IJ14, IJ16, must have a sufficient 4 m/s related to the refillIJ20, IJ22, IJ23, velocity to overcome Can be efficient, method normallyIJ24, IJ25, IJ26, the surface tension. depending upon the used IJ27,IJ28, IJ29, actuator used All of the drop IJ30, IJ31, IJ32, kineticenergy must IJ33, IJ34, IJ35, be provided by the IJ36, IJ37, IJ38,actuator IJ39, IJ40, IJ41, Satellite drops IJ42, IJ43, IJ44 usually formif drop velocity is greater than 4.5 m/s Proximity The drops to be Verysimple print Requires close Silverbrook, EP printed are selected by headfabrication can proximity between 0771 658 A2 and some manner (e.g. beused the print head and related patent thermally induced The dropselection the print media or applications surface tension means does notneed transfer roller reduction of to provide the May require twopressurized ink). energy required to print heads printing Selected dropsare separate the drop alternate rows of the separated from the ink fromthe nozzle image in the nozzle by Monolithic color contact with theprint print heads are medium or a transfer difficult roller.Electrostatic The drops to be Very simple print Requires very highSilverbrook, EP pull printed are selected by head fabrication canelectrostatic field 0771 658 A2 and on ink some manner (e.g. be usedElectrostatic field related patent thermally induced The drop selectionfor small nozzle applications surface tension means does not need sizesis above air Tone-Jet reduction of to provide the breakdown pressurizedink). energy required to Electrostatic field Selected drops are separatethe drop may attract dust separated from the ink from the nozzle in thenozzle by a strong electric field. Magnetic The drops to be Very simpleprint Requires magnetic Silverbrook, EP pull on ink printed are selectedby head fabrication can ink 0771 658 A2 and some manner (e.g. be usedInk colors other than related patent thermally induced The dropselection black are difficult applications surface tension means doesnot need Requires very high reduction of to provide the magnetic fieldspressurized ink). energy required to Selected drops are separate thedrop separated from the ink from the nozzle in the nozzle by a strongmagnetic field acting on the magnetic ink. Shutter The actuator moves aHigh speed (>50 kHz) Moving parts are IJ13, IJ17, IJ21 shutter to blockink operation can required flow to the nozzle. The be achieved due toRequires ink ink pressure is pulsed reduced refill time pressuremodulator at a multiple of the Drop timing can be Friction and wear dropejection very accurate must be considered frequency. The actuator energyStiction is possible can be very low Shuttered The actuator moves aActuators with Moving parts are IJ08, IJ15, IJ18, grill shutter to blockink small travel can be required IJ19 flow through a grill to usedRequires ink the nozzle. The shutter Actuators with pressure modulatormovement need only small force can be Friction and wear be equal to thewidth used must be considered of the grill holes. High speed (>50 kHz)Stiction is possible operation can be achieved Pulsed A pulsed magneticExtremely low Requires an external IJ10 magnetic field attracts an ‘inkenergy operation is pulsed magnetic pull on ink pusher’ at the droppossible field pusher ejection frequency. An No heat dissipationRequires special actuator controls a problems materials for both catch,which prevents the actuator and the the ink pusher from ink pushermoving when a drop is Complex not to be ejected. construction AUXILIARYMECHANISM (APPLIED TO ALL NOZZLES) None The actuator directly Simplicityof Drop ejection Most ink jets, fires the ink drop, and constructionenergy must be including there is no external Simplicity of supplied bypiezoelectric and field or other operation individual nozzle thermalbubble. mechanism required. Small physical size actuator IJ01, IJ02,IJ03, IJ04, IJ05, IJ07, IJ09, IJ11, IJ12, IJ14, IJ20, IJ22, IJ23, IJ24,IJ25, IJ26, IJ27, IJ28, IJ29, IJ30, IJ31, IJ32, IJ33, IJ34, IJ35, IJ36,IJ37, IJ38, IJ39, IJ40, IJ41, IJ42, IJ43, IJ44 Oscillating The inkpressure Oscillating ink Requires external Silverbrook, EP inkoscillates, providing pressure can provide ink pressure 0771 658 A2 andpressure much of the drop a refill pulse, oscillator related patent(including ejection energy. The allowing higher Ink pressure phaseapplications acoustic actuator selects which operating speed andamplitude must IJ08, IJ13, IJ15, stimulation) drops are to be fired Theactuators may be carefully IJ17, IJ18, IJ19, by selectively operate withmuch controlled IJ21 blocking or enabling lower energy Acousticreflections nozzles. The ink Acoustic lenses can in the ink chamberpressure oscillation be used to focus the must be designed may beachieved by sound on the for vibrating the print nozzles head, orpreferably by an actuator in the ink supply. Media The print head is Lowpower Precision assembly Silverbrook, EP proximity placed in close Highaccuracy required 0771 658 A2 and proximity to the print Simple printhead Paper fibers may related patent medium. Selected construction causeproblems applications drops protrude from Cannot print on the print headfurther rough substrates than unselected drops, and contact the printmedium. The drop soaks into the medium fast enough to cause dropseparation. Transfer Drops are printed to a High accuracy BulkySilverbrook, EP roller transfer roller instead Wide range of printExpensive 0771 658 A2 and of straight to the print substrates can beComplex related patent medium. A transfer used construction applicationsroller can also be used Ink can be dried on Tektronix hot melt forproximity drop the transfer roller piezoelectric ink jet separation. Anyof the IJ series Electrostatic An electric field is Low power Fieldstrength Silverbrook, EP used to accelerate Simple print head requiredfor 0771 658 A2 and selected drops towards construction separation ofsmall related patent the print medium. drops is near or applicationsabove air Tone-Jet breakdown Direct A magnetic field is Low powerRequires magnetic Silverbrook, EP magnetic used to accelerate Simpleprint head ink 0771 658 A2 and field selected drops of constructionRequires strong related patent magnetic ink towards magnetic fieldapplications the print medium. Cross The print head is Does not requireRequires external IJ06, IJ16 magnetic placed in a constant magneticmaterials magnet field magnetic field. The to be integrated in Currentdensities Lorenz force in a the print head may be high, current carryingwire manufacturing resulting in is used to move the processelectromigration actuator. problems Pulsed A pulsed magnetic Very lowpower Complex print head IJ10 magnetic field is used to operation ispossible construction field cyclically attract a Small print headMagnetic materials paddle, which pushes size required in print on theink. A small head actuator moves a catch, which selectively prevents thepaddle from moving. ACTUATOR AMPLIFICATION OR MODIFICATION METHOD NoneNo actuator Operational Many actuator Thermal Bubble Ink mechanicalsimplicity mechanisms have jet amplification is used. insufficienttravel, IJ01, IJ02, IJ06, The actuator directly or insufficient force,IJ07, IJ16, IJ25, drives the drop to efficiently drive IJ26 ejectionprocess. the drop ejection process Differential An actuator materialProvides greater High stresses are Piezoelectric expansion expands moreon one travel in a reduced involved IJ03, IJ09, IJ17, bend side than onthe other. print head area Care must be taken IJ18, IJ19, IJ20, actuatorThe expansion may be that the materials do IJ21, IJ22, IJ23, thermal,piezoelectric, not delaminate IJ24, IJ27, IJ29, magnetostrictive, orResidual bend IJ30, IJ31, IJ32, other mechanism. The resulting from highIJ33, IJ34, IJ35, bend actuator converts temperature or high IJ36, IJ37,IJ38, a high force low travel stress during IJ39, IJ42, IJ43, actuatormechanism to formation IJ44 high travel, lower force mechanism.Transient A trilayer bend Very good High stresses are IJ40, IJ41 bendactuator where the two temperature stability involved actuator outsidelayers are High speed, as a Care must be taken identical. This cancelsnew drop can be that the materials do bend due to ambient fired beforeheat not delaminate temperature and dissipates residual stress. TheCancels residual actuator only responds stress of formation to transientheating of one side or the other. Reverse The actuator loads a Bettercoupling to Fabrication IJ05, IJ11 spring spring. When the the inkcomplexity actuator is turned off, High stress in the the springreleases. spring This can reverse the force/distance curve of theactuator to make it compatible with the force/time requirements of thedrop ejection. Actuator A series of thin Increased travel Increased Somepiezoelectric stack actuators are stacked. Reduced drive fabrication inkjets This can be voltage complexity IJ04 appropriate where Increasedpossibility actuators require high of short circuits due electric fieldstrength, to pinholes such as electrostatic and piezoelectric actuators.Multiple Multiple smaller Increases the force Actuator forces may IJ12,IJ13, IJ18, actuators actuators are used available from an not addlinearly, IJ20, IJ22, IJ28, simultaneously to actuator reducingefficiency IJ42, IJ43 move the ink. Each Multiple actuators actuatorneed provide can be positioned to only a portion of the control ink flowforce required. accurately Linear A linear spring is used Matches lowtravel Requires print head IJ15 Spring to transform a motion actuatorwith higher area for the spring with small travel and travelrequirements high force into a Non-contact method longer travel, lowerof motion force motion. transformation Coiled A bend actuator isIncreases travel Generally restricted IJ17, IJ21, IJ34, actuator coiledto provide Reduces chip area to planar IJ35 greater travel in a Planarimplementations reduced chip area. implementations are due to extremerelatively easy to fabrication difficulty fabricate. in otherorientations. Flexure A bend actuator has a Simple means of Care must betaken IJ10, IJ19, IJ33 bend small region near the increasing travel ofnot to exceed the actuator fixture point, which a bend actuator elasticlimit in the flexes much more flexure area readily than the Stressdistribution is remainder of the very uneven actuator. The actuatorDifficult to flexing is effectively accurately model converted from anwith finite element even coiling to an analysis angular bend, resultingin greater travel of the actuator tip. Catch The actuator controls aVery low actuator Complex IJ10 small catch. The catch energyconstruction either enables or Very small actuator Requires externaldisables movement of size force an ink pusher that is Unsuitable forcontrolled in a bulk pigmented inks manner. Gears Gears can be used toLow force, low Moving parts are IJ13 increase travel at the travelactuators can required expense of duration. be used Several actuatorCircular gears, rack Can be fabricated cycles are required and pinion,ratchets, using standard More complex drive and other gearing surfaceMEMS electronics methods can be used. processes Complex constructionFriction, friction, and wear are possible Buckle A buckle plate can beVery fast movement Must stay within S. Hirata et al, “An plate used tochange a slow achievable elastic limits of the Ink-jet Head Usingactuator into a fast materials for long Diaphragm motion. It can alsodevice life Microactuator”, convert a high force, High stresses Proc.IEEE MEMS, low travel actuator involved February 1996, into a hightravel, Generally high pp 418-423. medium force motion. powerrequirement IJ18, IJ27 Tapered A tapered magnetic Linearizes the ComplexIJ14 magnetic pole can increase magnetic construction pole travel at theexpense force/distance curve of force. Lever A lever and fulcrum isMatches low travel High stress around IJ32, IJ36, IJ37 used to transforma actuator with higher the fulcrum motion with small travel requirementstravel and high force Fulcrum area has no into a motion with linearmovement, longer travel and and can be used for lower force. The lever afluid seal can also reverse the direction of travel. Rotary The actuatoris High mechanical Complex IJ28 impeller connected to a rotary advantageconstruction impeller. A small The ratio of force to Unsuitable forangular deflection of travel of the actuator pigmented inks the actuatorresults in can be matched to a rotation of the the nozzle impellervanes, which requirements by push the ink against varying the numberstationary vanes and of impeller vanes out of the nozzle. Acoustic Arefractive or No moving parts Large area required 1993 Hadimioglu etlens diffractive (e.g. zone Only relevant for al, EUP 550,192 plate)acoustic lens is acoustic ink jets 1993 Elrod et al, used to concentrateEUP 572,220 sound waves. Sharp A sharp point is used Simple constructionDifficult to fabricate Tone-jet conductive to concentrate an usingstandard VLSI point electrostatic field. processes for a surfaceejecting ink- jet Only relevant for electrostatic ink jets ACTUATORMOTION Volume The volume of the Simple construction High energy isHewlett-Packard expansion actuator changes, in the case of typicallyrequired to Thermal Ink jet pushing the ink in all thermal ink jetachieve volume Canon Bubblejet directions. expansion. This leads tothermal stress, cavitation, and kogation in thermal ink jetimplementations Linear, The actuator moves in Efficient coupling to Highfabrication IJ01, IJ02, IJ04, normal to a direction normal to ink dropsejected complexity may be IJ07, IJ11, IJ14 chip the print head surface.normal to the required to achieve surface The nozzle is typicallysurface perpendicular in the line of motion movement. Parallel to Theactuator moves Suitable for planar Fabrication IJ12, IJ13, IJ15, chipparallel to the print fabrication complexity IJ33, IJ34, IJ35, surfacehead surface. Drop Friction IJ36 ejection may still be Stiction normalto the surface. Membrane An actuator with a The effective area ofFabrication 1982 Howkins U.S. push high force but small the actuatorcomplexity Pat. No. 4,459,601 area is used to push a becomes theActuator size stiff membrane that is membrane area Difficulty of incontact with the ink. integration in a VLSI process Rotary The actuatorcauses Rotary levers may Device complexity IJ05, IJ08, IJ13, therotation of some be used to increase May have friction at IJ28 element,such a grill or travel a pivot point impeller Small chip arearequirements Bend The actuator bends A very small change Requires the1970 Kyser et al when energized. This in dimensions can actuator to bemade U.S. Pat. No. 3,946,398 may be due to be converted to a from atleast two 1973 Stemme U.S. differential thermal large motion. distinctlayers, or to Pat. No. 3,747,120 expansion, have a thermal IJ03, IJ09,IJ10, piezoelectric difference across the IJ19, IJ23, IJ24, expansion,actuator IJ25, IJ29, IJ30, magnetostriction, or IJ31, IJ33, IJ34, otherform of relative IJ35 dimensional change. Swivel The actuator swivelsAllows operation Inefficient coupling IJ06 around a central pivot. wherethe net linear to the ink motion This motion is suitable force on thepaddle where there are is zero opposite forces Small chip area appliedto opposite requirements sides of the paddle, e.g. Lorenz force.Straighten The actuator is Can be used with Requires careful IJ26, IJ32normally bent, and shape memory balance of stresses straightens whenalloys where the to ensure that the energized. austenic phase isquiescent bend is planar accurate Double The actuator bends in Oneactuator can be Difficult to make IJ36, IJ37, IJ38 bend one directionwhen used to power two the drops ejected by one element is nozzles. bothbend directions energized, and bends Reduced chip size. identical. theother way when Not sensitive to A small efficiency another element isambient temperature loss compared to energized. equivalent single bendactuators. Shear Energizing the Can increase the Not readily 1985Fishbeck U.S. actuator causes a shear effective travel of applicable toother Pat. No. 4,584,590 motion in the actuator piezoelectric actuatormaterial. actuators mechanisms Radial The actuator squeezes Relativelyeasy to High force required 1970 Zoltan U.S. constriction an inkreservoir, fabricate single Inefficient Pat. No. 3,683,212 forcing inkfrom a nozzles from glass Difficult to integrate constricted nozzle.tubing as with VLSI macroscopic processes structures Coil/ A coiledactuator Easy to fabricate as Difficult to fabricate IJ17, IJ21, IJ34,uncoil uncoils or coils more a planar VLSI for non-planar IJ35 tightly.The motion of process devices the free end of the Small area required,Poor out-of-plane actuator ejects the ink. therefore low cost stiffnessBow The actuator bows (or Can increase the Maximum travel is IJ16, IJ18,IJ27 buckles) in the middle speed of travel constrained when energized.Mechanically rigid High force required Push-Pull Two actuators controlThe structure is Not readily suitable IJ18 a shutter. One actuatorpinned at both ends, for ink jets which pulls the shutter, and so has ahigh out-of- directly push the ink the other pushes it. plane rigidityCurl A set of actuators curl Good fluid flow to Design complexity IJ20,IJ42 inwards inwards to reduce the the region behind volume of ink thatthe actuator they enclose. increases efficiency Curl A set of actuatorscurl Relatively simple Relatively large IJ43 outwards outwards,pressurizing construction chip area ink in a chamber surrounding theactuators, and expelling ink from a nozzle in the chamber. Iris Multiplevanes enclose High efficiency High fabrication IJ22 a volume of ink.These Small chip area complexity simultaneously rotate, Not suitable forreducing the volume pigmented inks between the vanes. Acoustic Theactuator vibrates The actuator can be Large area required 1993Hadimioglu et vibration at a high frequency. physically distant forefficient al, EUP 550,192 from the ink operation at useful 1993 Elrod etal, frequencies EUP 572,220 Acoustic coupling and crosstalk Complexdrive circuitry Poor control of drop volume and position None In variousink jet No moving parts Various other Silverbrook, EP designs theactuator tradeoffs are 0771 658 A2 and does not move. required torelated patent eliminate moving applications parts Tone-jet NOZZLEREFILL METHOD Surface This is the normal way Fabrication Low speedThermal ink jet tension that ink jets are simplicity Surface tensionPiezoelectric ink jet refilled. After the Operational force relativelyIJ01-IJ07, IJ10-IJ14, actuator is energized, simplicity small comparedto IJ16, IJ20, IJ22-IJ45 it typically returns actuator force rapidly toits normal Long refill time position. This rapid usually dominatesreturn sucks in air the total repetition through the nozzle rateopening. The ink surface tension at the nozzle then exerts a small forcerestoring the meniscus to a minimum area. This force refills the nozzle.Shuttered Ink to the nozzle High speed Requires common IJ08, IJ13, IJ15,oscillating chamber is provided at Low actuator ink pressure IJ17, IJ18,IJ19, ink a pressure that energy, as the oscillator IJ21 pressureoscillates at twice the actuator need only May not be suitable dropejection open or close the for pigmented inks frequency. When a shutter,instead of drop is to be ejected, ejecting the ink drop the shutter isopened for 3 half cycles: drop ejection, actuator return, and refill.The shutter is then closed to prevent the nozzle chamber emptying duringthe next negative pressure cycle. Refill After the main High speed, asthe Requires two IJ09 actuator actuator has ejected a nozzle is activelyindependent drop a second (refill) refilled actuators per nozzleactuator is energized. The refill actuator pushes ink into the nozzlechamber. The refill actuator returns slowly, to prevent its return fromemptying the chamber again. Positive The ink is held a slight Highrefill rate, Surface spill must Silverbrook, EP ink positive pressure.therefore a high be prevented 0771 658 A2 and pressure After the inkdrop is drop repetition rate Highly hydrophobic related patent ejected,the nozzle is possible print head surfaces applications chamber fillsquickly are required Alternative for:, as surface tension and IJ01-IJ07,IJ10-IJ14, ink pressure both IJ16, IJ20, IJ22-IJ45 operate to refill thenozzle. METHOD OF RESTRICTING BACK-FLOW THROUGH INLET Long inlet The inkinlet channel Design simplicity Restricts refill rate Thermal ink jetchannel to the nozzle chamber Operational May result in a Piezoelectricink jet is made long and simplicity relatively large chip IJ42, IJ43relatively narrow, Reduces crosstalk area relying on viscous Onlypartially drag to reduce inlet effective back-flow. Positive The ink isunder a Drop selection and Requires a method Silverbrook, EP inkpositive pressure, so separation forces (such as a nozzle 0771 658 A2and pressure that in the quiescent can be reduced rim or effectiverelated patent state some of the ink Fast refill time hydrophobizing, orapplications drop already protrudes both) to prevent Possible operationfrom the nozzle. flooding of the of the following: This reduces theejection surface of IJ01-IJ07, IJ09-IJ12, pressure in the nozzle theprint head. IJ14, IJ16, chamber which is IJ20, IJ22, IJ23-IJ34, requiredto eject a IJ36-IJ41, certain volume of ink. IJ44 The reduction inchamber pressure results in a reduction in ink pushed out through theinlet. Baffle One or more baffles The refill rate is not Designcomplexity HP Thermal Ink Jet are placed in the inlet as restricted asthe May increase Tektronix ink flow. When the long inlet method.fabrication piezoelectric ink jet actuator is energized, Reducescrosstalk complexity (e.g. the rapid ink Tektronix hot melt movementcreates Piezoelectric print eddies which restrict heads). the flowthrough the inlet. The slower refill process is unrestricted, and doesnot result in eddies. Flexible In this method recently Significantly Notapplicable to Canon flap disclosed by Canon, reduces back-flow most inkjet restricts the expanding actuator for edge-shooter configurationsinlet (bubble) pushes on a thermal ink jet Increased flexible flap thatdevices fabrication restricts the inlet. complexity Inelasticdeformation of polymer flap results in creep over extended use Inletfilter A filter is located Additional Restricts refill rate IJ04, IJ12,IJ24, between the ink inlet advantage of ink May result in IJ27, IJ29,IJ30 and the nozzle filtration complex chamber. The filter Ink filtermay be construction has a multitude of fabricated with no small holes orslots, additional process restricting ink flow. steps The filter alsoremoves particles which may block the nozzle. Small inlet The ink inletchannel Design simplicity Restricts refill rate IJ02, IJ37, IJ44compared to the nozzle chamber May result in a to nozzle has asubstantially relatively large chip smaller cross section area than thatof the nozzle, Only partially resulting in easier ink effective egressout of the nozzle than out of the inlet. Inlet A secondary actuatorIncreases speed of Requires separate IJ09 shutter controls the positionof the ink-jet print refill actuator and a shutter, closing off headoperation drive circuit the ink inlet when the main actuator isenergized. The inlet is The method avoids the Back-flow problem Requirescareful IJ01, IJ03, IJ05, located problem of inlet back- is eliminateddesign to minimize IJ06, IJ07, IJ10, behind the flow by arranging thethe negative IJ11, IJ14, IJ16, ink- ink-pushing surface of pressurebehind the IJ22, IJ23, IJ25, pushing the actuator between paddle IJ28,IJ31, IJ32, surface the inlet and the IJ33, IJ34, IJ35, nozzle. IJ36,IJ39, IJ40, IJ41 Part of the The actuator and a Significant Smallincrease in IJ07, IJ20, IJ26, actuator wall of the ink reductions inback- fabrication IJ38 moves to chamber are arranged flow can becomplexity shut off so that the motion of achieved the inlet theactuator closes off Compact designs the inlet. possible Nozzle In someconfigurations Ink back-flow None related to ink Silverbrook, EPactuator of ink jet, there is no problem is back-flow on 0771 658 A2 anddoes not expansion or eliminated actuation related patent result inmovement of an applications ink back- actuator which may Valve-jet flowcause ink back-flow Tone-jet through the inlet. NOZZLE CLEARING METHODNormal All of the nozzles are No added May not be Most ink jet systemsnozzle fired periodically, complexity on the sufficient to IJ01, IJ02,IJ03, firing before the ink has a print head displace dried ink IJ04,IJ05, IJ06, chance to dry. When IJ07, IJ09, IJ10, not in use the nozzlesIJ11, IJ12, IJ14, are sealed (capped) IJ16, IJ20, IJ22, against air.IJ23, IJ24, IJ25, The nozzle firing is IJ26, IJ27, IJ28, usuallyperformed IJ29, IJ30, IJ31, during a special IJ32, IJ33, IJ34, clearingcycle, after IJ36, IJ37, IJ38, first moving the print IJ39, IJ40, IJ41,head to a cleaning IJ42, 1J43, 1J44, station. IJ45 Extra In systemswhich heat Can be highly Requires higher Silverbrook, EP power to theink, but do not boil effective if the drive voltage for 0771 658 A2 andink heater it under normal heater is adjacent to clearing related patentsituations, nozzle the nozzle May require larger applications clearingcan be drive transistors achieved by over- powering the heater andboiling ink at the nozzle. Rapid The actuator is fired in Does notrequire Effectiveness May be used with: succession rapid succession. Inextra drive circuits depends IJ01, IJ02, IJ03, of some configurations,on the print head substantially upon IJ04, IJ05, IJ06, actuator this maycause heat Can be readily the configuration of IJ07, IJ09, IJ10, pulsesbuild-up at the nozzle controlled and the ink jet nozzle IJ11, IJ14,IJ16, which boils the ink, initiated by digital IJ20, IJ22, IJ23,clearing the nozzle. In logic IJ24, IJ25, IJ27, other situations, it mayIJ28, IJ29, IJ30, cause sufficient IJ31, IJ32, IJ33, vibrations todislodge IJ34, IJ36, IJ37, clogged nozzles. IJ38, IJ39, IJ40, IJ41,IJ42, IJ43, IJ44, IJ45 Extra Where an actuator is A simple solution Notsuitable where May be used with: power to not normally driven to whereapplicable there is a hard limit IJ03, IJ09, IJ16, ink the limit of itsmotion, to actuator IJ20, IJ23, IJ24, pushing nozzle clearing may bemovement IJ25, IJ27, IJ29, actuator assisted by providing IJ30, IJ31,IJ32, an enhanced drive IJ39, IJ40, IJ41, signal to the actuator. IJ42,IJ43, IJ44, IJ45 Acoustic An ultrasonic wave is A high nozzle High IJ08,IJ13, IJ15, resonance applied to the ink clearing capabilityimplementation cost IJ17, IJ18, IJ19, chamber. This wave is can beachieved if system does not IJ21 of an appropriate May be alreadyinclude an amplitude and implemented at very acoustic actuator frequencyto cause low cost in systems sufficient force at the which alreadynozzle to clear include acoustic blockages. This is actuators easiest toachieve if the ultrasonic wave is at a resonant frequency of the inkcavity. Nozzle A microfabricated Can clear severely AccurateSilverbrook, EP clearing plate is pushed against clogged nozzlesmechanical 0771 658 A2 and plate the nozzles. The plate alignment isrelated patent has a post for every required applications nozzle. A postmoves Moving parts are through each nozzle, required displacing driedink. There is risk of damage to the nozzles Accurate fabrication isrequired Ink The pressure of the ink May be effective Requires pressureMay be used with pressure is temporarily where other pump or other allIJ series ink jets pulse increased so that ink methods cannot bepressure actuator streams from all of the used Expensive nozzles. Thismay be Wasteful of ink used in conjunction with actuator energizing.Print head A flexible ‘blade’ is Effective for planar Difficult to useif Many ink jet wiper wiped across the print print head surfaces printhead surface is systems head surface. The Low cost non-planar or veryblade is usually fragile fabricated from a Requires flexible polymer,e.g. mechanical parts rubber or synthetic Blade can wear out elastomer.in high volume print systems Separate A separate heater is Can beeffective Fabrication Can be used with ink boiling provided at thenozzle where other nozzle complexity many IJ series ink heater althoughthe normal clearing methods jets drop e-ection cannot be used mechanismdoes not Can be implemented require it. The heaters at no additionalcost do not require in some ink jet individual drive configurationscircuits, as many nozzles can be cleared simultaneously, and no imagingis required. NOZZLE PLATE CONSTRUCTION Electroformed A nozzle plate isFabrication High temperatures Hewlett Packard nickel separatelyfabricated simplicity and pressures are Thermal Ink jet fromelectroformed required to bond nickel, and bonded to nozzle plate theprint head chip. Minimum thickness constraints Differential thermalexpansion Laser Individual nozzle No masks required Each hole must beCanon Bubblejet ablated or holes are ablated by an Can be quite fastindividually formed 1988 Sercel et al., drilled intense UV laser in aSome control over Special equipment SPIE, Vol. 998 polymer nozzle plate,which is nozzle profile is required Excimer Beam typically a polymerpossible Slow where there Applications, pp. such as polyimide orEquipment required are many thousands 76-83 polysulphone is relativelylow cost of nozzles per print 1993 Watanabe et head al., U.S. Pat. No.May produce thin 5,208,604 burrs at exit holes Silicon A separate nozzleHigh accuracy is Two part K. Bean, IEEE micromachined plate isattainable construction Transactions on micromachined from High costElectron Devices, single crystal silicon, Requires precision Vol. ED-25,No. 10, and bonded to the alignment 1978, pp 1185-1195 print head wafer.Nozzles may be Xerox 1990 clogged by adhesive Hawkins et al., U.S. Pat.No. 4,899,181 Glass Fine glass capillaries No expensive Very smallnozzle 1970 Zoltan U.S. capillaries are drawn from glass equipmentrequired sizes are difficult to Pat. No. 3,683,212 tubing. This methodSimple to make form has been used for single nozzles Not suited for massmaking individual production nozzles, but is difficult to use for bulkmanufacturing of print heads with thousands of nozzles. Monolithic, Thenozzle plate is High accuracy (<1 μm) Requires sacrificial Silverbrook,EP surface deposited as a layer Monolithic layer under the 0771 658 A2and micromachined using standard VLSI Low cost nozzle plate to formrelated patent using VLSI deposition techniques. Existing processes thenozzle chamber applications lithographic Nozzles are etched in can beused Surface may be IJ01, IJ02, IJ04, processes the nozzle plate usingfragile to the touch IJ11, IJ12, IJ17, VLSI lithography and IJ18, IJ20,IJ22, etching. IJ24, IJ27, IJ28, IJ29, IJ30, IJ31, IJ32, IJ33, IJ34,IJ36, IJ37, IJ38, IJ39, IJ40, IJ41, IJ42, IJ43, IJ44 Monolithic, Thenozzle plate is a High accuracy (<1 μm) Requires long etch IJ03, IJ05,IJ06, etched buried etch stop in the Monolithic times IJ07, IJ08, IJ09,through wafer. Nozzle Low cost Requires a support IJ10, IJ13, IJ14,substrate chambers are etched in No differential wafer IJ15, IJ16, IJ19,the front of the wafer, expansion IJ21, IJ23, IJ25, and the wafer isIJ26 thinned from the back side. Nozzles are then etched in the etchstop layer. No nozzle Various methods have No nozzles to Difficult tocontrol Ricoh 1995 Sekiya plate been tried to eliminate become cloggeddrop position et al U.S. the nozzles entirely, to accurately Pat. No.5,412,413 prevent nozzle Crosstalk problems 1993 Hadimioglu et clogging.These al EUP 550,192 include thermal bubble 1993 Elrod et al mechanismsand EUP 572,220 acoustic lens mechanisms Trough Each drop ejector hasReduced Drop firing IJ35 a trough through manufacturing direction issensitive which a paddle moves. complexity to wicking. There is nonozzle Monolithic plate. Nozzle slit The elimination of No nozzles toDifficult to control 1989 Saito et al instead of nozzle holes and becomeclogged drop position U.S. Pat. No. 4,799,068 individual replacement bya slit accurately nozzles encompassing many Crosstalk problems actuatorpositions reduces nozzle clogging, but increases crosstalk due to inksurface waves DROP EJECTION DIRECTION Edge Ink flow is along the Simpleconstruction Nozzles limited to Canon Bubblejet (‘edge surface of thechip, No silicon etching edge 1979 Endo et al GB shooter’) and ink dropsare required High resolution is patent 2,007,162 ejected from the chipGood heat sinking difficult Xerox heater-in-pit edge. via substrate Fastcolor printing 1990 Hawkins et al Mechanically strong requires one printU.S. Pat. No. 4,899,181 Ease of chip head per color Tone-jet handingSurface Ink flow is along the No bulk silicon Maximum ink flowHewlett-Packard TIJ (‘roof surface of the chip, etching required isseverely restricted 1982 Vaught et al shooter’) and ink drops areSilicon can make an U.S. Pat. No. 4,490,728 ejected from the chipeffective heat sink IJ02, IJ11, IJ12, surface, normal to the Mechanicalstrength IJ20, IJ22 plane of the chip. Through Ink flow is through theHigh ink flow Requires bulk Silverbrook, EP chip, chip, and ink dropsare Suitable for silicon etching 0771 658 A2 and forward ejected fromthe front pagewidth print related patent (‘up surface of the chip. headsapplications shooter’) High nozzle packing IJ04, IJ17, IJ18, densitytherefore IJ24, IJ27-IJ45 low manufacturing cost Through Ink flow isthrough the High ink flow Requires wafer IJ01, IJ03, IJ05, chip, chip,and ink drops are Suitable for thinning IJ06, IJ07, IJ08, reverseejected from the rear pagewidth print Requires special IJ09, IJ10, IJ13,(‘down surface of the chip. heads handling during IJ14, IJ15, IJ16,shooter’) High nozzle packing manufacture IJ19, IJ21, IJ23, densitytherefore IJ25, IJ26 low manufacturing cost Through Ink flow is throughthe Suitable for Pagewidth print Epson Stylus actuator actuator, whichis not piezoelectric print heads require Tektronix hot melt fabricatedas part of heads several thousand piezoelectric ink jets the samesubstrate as connections to drive the drive transistors. circuits Cannotbe manufactured in standard CMOS fabs Complex assembly required INK TYPEAqueous, Water based ink which Environmentally Slow drying Most existingink dye typically contains: friendly Corrosive jets water, dye,surfactant, No odor Bleeds on paper All IJ series ink jets humectant,and May strikethrough Silverbrook, EP biocide. Cockles paper 0771 658 A2and Modern ink dyes have related patent high water-fastness,applications light fastness Aqueous, Water based ink whichEnvironmentally Slow drying IJ02, IJ04, IJ21, pigment typicallycontains: friendly Corrosive IJ26, IJ27, IJ30 water, pigment, No odorPigment may clog Silverbrook, EP surfactant, humectant, Reduced bleednozzles 0771 658 A2 and and biocide. Reduced wicking Pigment may clogrelated patent Pigments have an Reduced actuator applications advantagein reduced strikethrough mechanisms Piezoelectric ink- bleed, wickingand Cockles paper jets strikethrough. Thermal ink jets (with significantrestrictions) Methyl MEK is a highly Very fast drying Odorous All IJseries ink jets Ethyl volatile solvent used Prints on various FlammableKetone for industrial printing substrates such as (MEK) on difficultsurfaces metals and plastics such as aluminum cans. Alcohol Alcoholbased inks Fast drying Slight odor All IJ series ink jets (ethanol, canbe used where the Operates at sub- Flammable 2-butanol, printer mustoperate at freezing and temperatures below temperatures others) thefreezing point of Reduced paper water. An example of cockle this isin-camera Low cost consumer photographic printing. Phase The ink issolid at No drying time-ink High viscosity Tektronix hot melt changeroom temperature, and instantly freezes on Printed ink typicallypiezoelectric ink jets (hot melt) is melted in the print the printmedium has a ‘waxy’ feel 1989 Nowak U.S. head before jetting. Almost anyprint Printed pages may Pat. No. 4,820,346 Hot melt inks are medium canbe used ‘block’ All IJ series ink jets usually wax based, No papercockle Ink temperature with a melting point occurs may be above thearound 80° C. After No wicking occurs curie point of jetting the inkfreezes No bleed occurs permanent magnets almost instantly upon Nostrikethrough Ink heaters consume contacting the print occurs powermedium or a transfer Long warm-up time roller. Oil Oil based inks areHigh solubility High viscosity: this All IJ series ink jets extensivelyused in medium for some is a significant offset printing. They dyeslimitation for use in have advantages in Does not cockle ink jets, whichimproved paper usually require a characteristics on Does not wick lowviscosity. Some paper (especially no through paper short chain andwicking or cockle). multi-branched oils Oil soluble dies and have asufficiently pigments are required. low viscosity. Slow dryingMicroemulsion A microemulsion is a Stops ink bleed Viscosity higher AllIJ series ink jets stable, self forming High dye solubility than wateremulsion of oil, water, Water, oil, and Cost is slightly and surfactant.The amphiphilic soluble higher than water characteristic drop size diescan be used based ink is less than 100 nm, Can stabilize High surfactantand is determined by pigment concentration the preferred curvaturesuspensions required (around of the surfactant. 5%)

1. An apparatus for adding user-supplied text to a digital still imagecomprising: (a) a card having a surface and image manipulationinstructions printed on said surface in encoded form, at least one ofsaid image manipulation instructions comprising instructions for addinguser-supplied text to a digital still image; (b) a text entry devicecomprising: (i) a user interface adapted to receive text from a user;(ii) a memory adapted to store character set information includingcharacter set information defining at least one character set in anon-roman font; and (iii) camera communication means adapted tocommunicate said user-supplied text and said character set informationto a digital still camera; and (c) a digital still camera comprising:(i) a sensor adapted to sense an original digital still image; (ii) acard reader adapted to read said image manipulation instructions storedon said card; (iii) text entry device communication means adapted toreceive said user-supplied text and said character set information fromsaid text entry device; (iv) image manipulation means adapted tomanipulate said original digital still image in accordance with saidimage manipulation instructions to form a manipulated digital stillimage which includes said user-supplied text; and (v) a printer deviceadapted to print said manipulated digital still image.
 2. The apparatusas claimed in claim 1 wherein said card comprises an “Artcard” asdescribed herein.
 3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein saiduser interface of said text entry device comprises one or more of: (a) akeyboard; (b) a touch-sensitive screen; (c) a handwriting recognitioncomputer program; (d) a mouse; and (e) an electronic pointing device. 4.The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said non-roman fontcomprises one or more of: (a) a Hebrew font; (b) a Cyrillic font; (c) anArabic font; (d) a Chinese font; and (e) a Kanji font.
 5. The apparatusas claimed in claim 1 wherein said camera communication means of saidtext entry device is adapted to communicate with said digital stillcamera via one or more of: (a) a cable; (b) an electromagnetic signal;(c) an acoustic signal; (d) an optical signal; and (e) an electricalsignal.
 6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said encoded formcomprises an array of printed dots.
 7. The apparatus as claimed in claim1 wherein said card reader is adapted to read “Artcards” as describedherein.
 8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said text entrydevice communication means of said digital still camera is adapted tocommunicate with said text entry device via one or more of: (a) a cable;(b) an electromagnetic signal; (c) an acoustic signal; (d) an opticalsignal; and (e) an electrical signal.
 9. The apparatus as claimed inclaim 1 wherein said image manipulation means of said digital stillcamera comprises: (a) a central processor adapted to process imagemanipulation instructions received from said manipulation instructionstorage device; and (b) a camera memory adapted to store saidmanipulated digital still image which includes said user-supplied text.10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said printer device ofsaid digital still camera is adapted to print said manipulated digitalstill image at print resolutions ranging from 600 dots per inch (dpi) to2000 dpi.
 11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein said printerdevice is adapted to print said manipulated digital still image at printresolutions ranging from 1400 dpi to 1700 dpi.
 12. The apparatus asclaimed in claim 11 wherein said printer device is adapted to print saidmanipulated digital still image at a print resolution of 1600 dpi. 13.The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said printer device of saiddigital still camera is adapted to print said manipulated digital stillimage in less than 10 seconds.
 14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 13wherein said printer device is adapted to print said manipulated digitalstill image in less than 3 seconds.